ATLANTA (AP) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture is putting up nearly $1.5 million to help control Georgia’s wild hog population.
Georgia Public Broadcasting reports the recently announced funding is part of a program called the "Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program."
A state resource conservationist with the department says money will go to controlling the population and educating people about the impact the animals have on natural resources and wildlife.
Wild hogs are an aggressive invasive species that threaten everything from farms to endangered sea turtles in Georgia.
Some of the funding will also go to restoration efforts.
The Georgia Association of Conservation Districts says feral swine caused an estimated $150 million in damages to crops and natural resources in the state last year.
